Indian priests call for peace and aid for Sri Lanka

The Association of Diocesan Priests in India has issued a call for peace and solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka who are suffering from the war between government forces and Tamil rebels.

The priests have urged India to intervene to save the lives of civilians who are caught up in the conflict. In a statement issued at the end of their gathering, the priests expressed their “anguish over the fear that is felt by the innocent population.”

The association of priests also reiterated the need for India to provide humanitarian assistance, especially in the combat zones. According to L’Osservatore Romano, the conflict in Sri Lanka “is at a crucial moment: the forces of the government are closing in on the rebels, seeking to conquer the last piece of land that is being held by the guerrillas.”

The conflict has left hundreds wounded and caused a wave of refugees, the Vatican newspaper reported. Father Christopher Jayakumar, who coordinates the humanitarian activities of the Diocese of Jaffna, has denounced the severe shortage of health care workers and adequate resources for surgery to care for the wounded. He said in many cities the bodies of dozens of people have yet to be buried.